Lyme disease - what to ask your doctor

Definition

You may get Lyme disease when you are bitten by a tick that has been infected with the germ (bacteria) that causes Lyme disease. The disease can cause a “bull’s eye” rash, chills, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse about Lyme disease.

Alternate Names

Questions

How large are ticks and tick bites? If I have a tick bite, will I always get Lyme disease?

Can I get Lyme disease even if I never noticed a tick bite on my body?

What can I do to prevent getting tick bites when I am in a wooded or grassy area?

In what areas of the US am I more likely to get a tick bite or Lyme disease? At what time of the year is the risk higher?

Should I remove a tick if I find one on my body? What is the proper way to remove a tick bite? Should I save the tick?

If I get Lyme disease from a tick bite, what symptoms will I have?

Will I always have symptoms soon after getting Lyme disease (early or primary Lyme disease)? Will these symptoms get better if I am treated with antibiotics?

If I do not get symptoms right away, can I get symptoms later? How much later? Are these symptoms the same as the early symptoms? Will these symptoms get better if I am treated with antibiotics?

If I am treated for Lyme disease, will I ever have symptoms again? If I do, will these symptoms get better if I am treated with antibiotics?

How can my doctor diagnose me with Lyme disease? Can I be diagnosed even if I do not remember having a tick bite?

What are the antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease? How long do I need to take them? What are the side effects?

Will I have a full recovery from my Lyme disease symptoms?

References

Version Info

Last reviewed on 8/26/2011

A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine (2/24/2011).

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